The fabulous Three Degrees South are putting on their popular program of multi activity clubs for children this December holiday so if you are in the Kilifi area I highly recommend you book early to avoid being disappointed.

When it's raining in Kenya, my 10 year old Lab seems to feel it in her shoulders where she has osteoarthritis. She gets up limping some mornings and yelps if my young dog plays too roughly with her. What can you do to help dogs with arthritis? I am not a bvet (my usual disclaimer). I am not qualified to recommend any drugs, medical treatments or dietary supplements. Please don’t diagnose and treat your pet based on this article but consult your vet about the various options for lessening the effects of arthritis in your pet. Also be wary of obtaining advice from a Chemist as some medicines do not affect animals the same way as humans.For osteoarthritis, most vets will recommend dietary supplements of glucosamine, a natural amino sugar found in healthy cartilage; chondroitin, a complex carbohydrate that helps cartilage retain water; and anti-inflammatory omega 3 fatty acids.The list of natural ingredients below has been recommended by the University of Florida’s School of Veterinary Medicine and may help your dog to feel less pain and be more comfortable if he or she suffers from osteoarthritis;Aloe Vera reduces inflammationAscorbic acid or Vitamin C, aids in bone strength and helps the body process glucosamine.Yucca increases the body’s cortisone production to relieve pain.Bromelain enzyme extracted from pineapple stems reduces pain and swelling.Perna Mussels, or green lipped mussels contain both anti-inflammatory and antihistamine compounds for osteoarthritis, plus other substances believed to relieve rheumatoid arthritis. If you have a pet that suffers from arthritis, help make it comfortable by keeping it inside at night during the rainy and cold seasons. Give your pet a comfortable, soft place to sleep, not directly on the hard floor. You can buy a cushy dog or cat bed or make a pallet with foam available at Nakumatt and covered with washable blankets.

Hewachi Villa is a beautiful large villa set in a serene tropical garden, conveniently located in a secure gated complex. Situated 3 minutes away from Diani’s white sandy beaches of the Indian Ocean, Hewachi Villa is the perfect getaway spot for the ardent traveler.

Besides selling Ostrich chicks, we also sell ostrich hatching eggs for those of you that want to incubate and hatch your own ostriches on your farm. Ostrich and emu hatching eggs for sale are of the highest quality!

When the speed at which you can get to your destination is beyond your control, what do you do? The good folks at Easy Taxi recommend this list of enjoyable activities that you can do to keep your mind out of the agony of traffic madness.

How can you tell if your pet is overweight? Your pet is overweight if you cannot feel his ribs or backbone when you lightly run your hands over him. Why is this a problem? Obesity in pets can have a serious effect on their health including shorter life spans, arthritis, and heart and respiratory problems.How do you know how much food to give your pet? Most pet food packages will recommend how much to feed your pet. However, use your own judgment based on your pet's age, activity level, and size to determine if he needs a little more or less. Avoid leaving food out for your pet all day long as this can lead to overeating. Just like us, pets need exercise so try to take him out for walks or play with him in the house for half an hour daily. Watch out for big gains or losses in the weight of your pet. If you think you're feeding your pet adequately but he still loses weight or your pet suddenly starts gaining weight, consult with your vet. Older and overweight pets may be switched to special diets- check the internet to find out more about special diets or consult your vet for recommendations.Amy L. Rapp, Custom Made K-9 SupplyCustomMadeK9@aol.com

Joyce trained under FazilahBazari of the Holistic Community of Kenya in Thai Yoga Massage and has 5 years experience as an independent specialist. She is able to visit you in your home to offer a 2 hour session of this specialised and beneficial treatment.

Kenya’s tropical rainforest home to more than three hundred species of birds, snakes, monkeys and medicinal trees, is well worth a weekend visit. The Kakamega Forest, situated in the Lake Victoria basin about 50km north of Kisumu city, offers unique wildlife and scenic beauty to be admired by all the family. 45 percent of all the butterfly species ever recorded in Kenya live there, along with 7 primate species including the endangered DeBrazza monkey, black and white Colobus monkey and Vervet monkey.

Did you know that if someone is injured or dies on your property in Kenya, even if you are not there or had nothing to do with it, you are liable? In addition, if you have hired a contractor to work on your property and one of the workers is injured or dies, you are also liable if the contractor is not legally registered and/or has no insurance. Even if one jua kali worker comes onto your property to dig a hole, you are taking a risk! I don’t want to give you any advice on insurance since I don’t fully understand the laws and what exactly you need to be protected from so I recommend that you contact your insurance agent directly. But I do know that if you hire anyone to work on your property, you must get proof that they are a legal contractor in Kenya and you must get proof that they have insurance that covers their workers and you must sign a contract with them in order to protect yourself.

Did you know that if someone is injured or dies on your property in Kenya, even if you are not there or had nothing to do with it, you are liable? In addition, if you have hired a contractor to work on your property and one of the workers is injured or dies, you are also liable if the contractor is not legally registered and/or has no insurance. Even if one jua kali worker comes onto your property to dig a hole, you are taking a risk! I don’t want to give you any advice on insurance since I don’t fully understand the laws and what exactly you need to be protected from so I recommend that you contact your insurance agent directly. But I do know that if you hire anyone to work on your property, you must get proof that they are a legal contractor in Kenya and you must get proof that they have insurance that covers their workers and you must sign a contract with them in order to protect yourself.